More about Elections

Caucuses and primary elections are ways for the general public to participate in nominating presidential candidates.

At a caucus, local party members gather to nominate a candidate. Caucuses are typically lively events at which party members and activists debate issues and consider candidates. The rules governing caucus procedures vary by party and by state.

A primary is more like a general election. Voters go to the polls to cast their votes for a presidential candidate (or delegates who will represent that candidate at the party convention). A primary is the main way voters choose a nominee.

MichiganDemocratic Primary Results: Hillary Clinton 55.4%, uncommitted 39.9%. Michigan broke Democratic National Committee rules by holding an early primary, and the DNC plans to bar the state from sending delegates to the national convention. Barack Obama and John Edwards withdrew their names from the ballot because of the violation.

FloridaDemocratic Primary Results: Hillary Clinton 49.7%, Barack Obama 33%, John Edwards 14.4%. Flordia broke Democratic National Committee rules by holding an early primary, and the DNC plans to bar the state from sending delegates to the national convention.